This post is a part of the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam Prep Hub; and this topic falls under these sections:
Visualize and analyze the data (25–30%)
   --> Enhance reports for usability and storytelling
      --> Design and Configure Power BI Reports for Accessibility

Note that there are 10 practice questions (with answers and explanations) at the end of each topic. Also, there are 2 practice tests with 60 questions each available on the hub below all the exam topics.

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Overview

Designing accessible Power BI reports ensures that all users—including those with disabilities—can perceive, understand, and interact with report content. Accessibility is a key aspect of report usability and storytelling, and Microsoft explicitly includes it in the PL-300 exam objectives.

This topic falls under:

Visualize and analyze the data (25–30%) → Enhance reports for usability and storytelling

For the exam, candidates must understand accessibility principles, Power BI accessibility features, and best practices for designing inclusive reports.

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Why Accessibility Matters

Accessible reports:

• Support users with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments
• Comply with accessibility standards such as WCAG
• Improve usability for all users, not just those with disabilities
• Are increasingly required in enterprise and public-sector environments

Power BI includes built-in features to help report authors design inclusive experiences—but they must be intentionally configured.

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Key Accessibility Principles in Power BI

Power BI accessibility aligns with four core principles:

1. Perceivable – Information can be seen or heard
2. Operable – Users can navigate using keyboard or assistive tools
3. Understandable – Content is clear and predictable
4. Robust – Compatible with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers)

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Using Alt Text for Visuals

What Is Alt Text?

Alternative text (Alt text) provides a textual description of a visual for users who rely on screen readers.

Best Practices

• Describe the key insight, not just the visual type
• Avoid redundant phrases like “This chart shows…”
• Keep descriptions concise but meaningful

Where to Configure

Visual → Format pane → General → Alt text

Alt text is one of the most commonly tested accessibility features on the PL-300 exam.

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Logical Tab Order

What Is Tab Order?

Tab order controls how users navigate visuals using a keyboard or assistive technology.

Why It Matters

Incorrect tab order can make reports confusing or unusable for keyboard-only users.

How to Configure

View → Selection pane → Tab order

Ensure visuals follow a logical reading order, typically top-to-bottom, left-to-right.

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Color and Contrast Considerations

Avoid Using Color Alone

Do not rely solely on color to convey meaning (e.g., red vs green).

Instead:

• Use labels
• Use icons or shapes
• Provide text explanations

Ensure Sufficient Contrast

• Use high-contrast color combinations
• Avoid light text on light backgrounds
• Test with accessibility tools or Power BI themes designed for accessibility

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Accessible Visual and Layout Choices

Recommended practices:

• Use simple visuals where possible
• Avoid cluttered layouts
• Increase font size for readability
• Use consistent formatting and labeling

Avoid:

• Overlapping visuals
• Dense tables or matrices without hierarchy
• Excessive use of custom visuals without accessibility support

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Titles, Labels, and Tooltips

• Always use descriptive visual titles
• Ensure axis labels are readable
• Use tooltips to supplement, not replace, key information
• Avoid vague titles like “Sales” or “Data Overview”

Clear labeling improves both accessibility and storytelling.

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Screen Reader and Keyboard Support

Power BI supports:

• Keyboard navigation
• Screen readers such as Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA

To support this:

• Configure tab order
• Provide alt text
• Avoid hiding important information behind hover-only interactions

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Testing Accessibility in Power BI

Best practices include:

• Navigating the report using keyboard only
• Testing with screen readers
• Reviewing color contrast
• Using accessibility checker tools where available

Accessibility should be tested before publishing, not added as an afterthought.

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Exam-Relevant Scenarios

You may encounter PL-300 questions involving:

• Users who rely on screen readers
• Keyboard-only navigation requirements
• Reports for public or regulated audiences
• Improving report usability without redesigning data models

In these cases, look for solutions involving:

• Alt text
• Tab order
• Color contrast
• Clear labeling

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Key Exam Takeaways

• Accessibility is part of report design, not data modeling
• Alt text is critical for screen readers
• Tab order controls keyboard navigation
• Color should not be the only way information is conveyed
• Accessible design improves overall user experience

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Exam Tip

If a question mentions:

• Screen readers
• Keyboard navigation
• Visually impaired users
• Accessibility compliance

👉 The correct answer usually involves alt text, tab order, or visual design choices, not DAX or data modeling.

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Summary

Designing and configuring Power BI reports for accessibility ensures inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly reporting experiences. For the PL-300 exam, focus on how accessibility features are configured, why they matter, and when to apply them in real-world scenarios.

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Practice Questions

Go to the Practice Questions for this topic.